El Toro Could See Air Cargo Trips Before Marine Exit

Opening a new front in the divisive airport battle, a majority on the Board of Supervisors said they will ask county planners today to consider whether cargo planes could begin flying out of El Toro Marine Corps Air Station before the military leaves in 1999.

The joint military-commercial use of the base faces formidable hurdles, including a 1990 federal law, introduced by Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach), that prohibits regular commercial flights until the Marines pull out.

But the three supervisors who support plans to convert the base into an international airport--Charles V. Smith, Jim Silva and William G. Steiner--said the idea makes sense and merits further examination.

They point out that air cargo companies such as Federal Express have indicated interest in flying out of El Toro, and that revenues from such flights could be used for base maintenance once it falls into county hands.

“Expanding air cargo service is essential to Orange County,” said Smith, noting that only 4% of goods manufactured in the county for export are now flown out of John Wayne Airport. “Having cargo on an interim basis would provide revenues and move the conversion process forward.”

Silva voiced similar feelings. “There are a limited number of cargo flights in Orange County now, and demand in the future will only grow,” he said. “I think looking at this idea would serve the county well.” The board majority’s stance adds another level of complexity to the El Toro debate and was met with criticism from airport foes.

Supervisor Thomas W. Wilson, an opponent of the airport plan, said it would be pointless to conduct another joint-use study, because Cox’s law expressly prohibits such an arrangement, and the military has shown no interest in coping with cargo flights.

“This is the proverbial foot in the door,” Wilson said. “Letting the cargo folks in would be the natural transition to an airport use. Once you turn it on, how do you turn it off?”

Capt. Matt Morgan, an El Toro spokesman, said the airport control tower lacks the staffing to handle commercial flights. “We are stretched thin in terms of operations,” he said. “We don’t see it happening until 1999.”

Joint military-commercial use of El Toro has been proposed several times over the last two decades. Last month, the Citizens Advisory Committee, a county airport planning body, asked officials to look at the feasibility of such an arrangement.

El Toro planners last week submitted a report stating that demand for cargo flights in the county is growing rapidly and that the base appears to have “adequate facilities” to accommodate cargo service.

But the report said Cox’s legislation would probably first have to be amended before cargo planes take off.

The legislation states: “Secretary of the Navy may not enter into any agreement that provides for . . . or allows civilian aircraft to regularly use the Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro, California.”

Still, Steiner said it’s worth exploring the issue further.

“I understand there are obstacles, but the county is going to have to eventually pay for operating costs at the base like keeping the lights on,” he said. “This could be a way to fund that.”